San Antonio then and now

By Madalyn Mendoza and Chris Eudaily

on June 6, 2015 3:42 PM

Copy print of an oblique view of the west and south facades of the original Menger Hotel. A horse drawn carriage stands in front of the Alamo Street entrance. Blum Street intersects to the south (at right).

Copy print of an oblique view of the west and south facades of the original Menger Hotel. A horse drawn carriage stands in front of the Alamo Street entrance. Blum Street intersects to the south (at right).

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

Copy print of an oblique view of the west and south facades of the...photo-7897298.108622 - |ucfirst

A view of the Menger Hotel today.

A view of the Menger Hotel today.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

A view of the Menger Hotel today.photo-7897452.108622 - |ucfirst

An oblique view of the front and left facades of the San Antonio Express Publishing Company's Daily Express on the corner of Crockett and Navarro Street.

An oblique view of the front and left facades of the San Antonio Express Publishing Company's Daily Express on the corner of Crockett and Navarro Street.

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

An oblique view of the front and left facades of the San Antonio...photo-7897285.108622 - |ucfirst

The corner of Crockett and Navarro Street today.

The corner of Crockett and Navarro Street today.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

The corner of Crockett and Navarro Street today.photo-7897462.108622 - |ucfirst

A street car and automobile fording the flood at the intersection of Saint Mary's and Houston. People ride the cars and line the sidewalk.The Hertzberg Clock is visible on the right and the Rand Building is in the background on the left. Black and white. less

A street car and automobile fording the flood at the intersection of Saint Mary's and Houston. People ride the cars and line the sidewalk.The Hertzberg Clock is visible on the right and the Rand Building is in ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

A street car and automobile fording the flood at the intersection...photo-7897284.108622 - |ucfirst

St. Mary's and Houston Street today.

St. Mary's and Houston Street today.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

St. Mary's and Houston Street today.photo-7897461.108622 - |ucfirst

Flood at Houston Street, looking west. From the lower right to the upper left are the corner of the Central Trust Building, the Princess Theater, and the Gunter Hotel. The Stowers Building in the background featues a rooftop sign for the Majestic Theater, located inside. The Empire Theater is to the immediate left. Black and white. less

Flood at Houston Street, looking west. From the lower right to the upper left are the corner of the Central Trust Building, the Princess Theater, and the Gunter Hotel. The Stowers Building in the background ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

Flood at Houston Street, looking west. From the lower right to the...photo-7897282.108622 - |ucfirst

College Street after a flood, looking east. On the left is the Alamo Fire Insurance Building and wall around the Saint Mary's Institute and Church.

College Street after a flood, looking east. On the left is the Alamo Fire Insurance Building and wall around the Saint Mary's Institute and Church.

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

College Street after a flood, looking east. On the left is the...photo-7897279.108622 - |ucfirst

College Street today.

College Street today.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

College Street today.photo-7897464.108622 - |ucfirst

A parade of soldiers from the 6th U.S. Infantry on Houston Street, looking northeast. The building in center is now the Hotel Valencia, then the old Empire Theater, followed by a Telephone Exchange building. In the background on the left is the rear facade of the Maverick Bank Building. Black and white. less

A parade of soldiers from the 6th U.S. Infantry on Houston Street, looking northeast. The building in center is now the Hotel Valencia, then the old Empire Theater, followed by a Telephone Exchange building. In ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

A parade of soldiers from the 6th U.S. Infantry on Houston Street,...photo-7897276.108622 - |ucfirst

Commerce Street looking eastward, west of Military Plaza. San Fernando Cathedral's tower is visible in the background on the left. The two-story building has "Alojamiento" (lodging) painted on the wall facing the street. Part of the sign on the building at the far right reads, "Carpinteria" (carpenter's shop). Black and white. less

Commerce Street looking eastward, west of Military Plaza. San Fernando Cathedral's tower is visible in the background on the left. The two-story building has "Alojamiento" (lodging) painted on the wall facing ... more

The United States Post Office in San Antonio, taken from the courtyard of the Alamo, looking north. Black and white.

The United States Post Office in San Antonio, taken from the courtyard of the Alamo, looking north. Black and white.

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

The United States Post Office in San Antonio, taken from the...photo-7897296.108622 - |ucfirst

The United States Post Office today, looking north from the Alamo.

The United States Post Office today, looking north from the Alamo.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

The United States Post Office today, looking north from the Alamo.photo-7897450.108622 - |ucfirst

View of Alamo Plaza looking west down Crockett Street. Five women stand in front of a palm tree in the park on the plaza. In the background: on the left is the Reuter Building and on the right is the turret of the Grand Opera House. Black and white. less

View of Alamo Plaza looking west down Crockett Street. Five women stand in front of a palm tree in the park on the plaza. In the background: on the left is the Reuter Building and on the right is the turret of ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

View of Alamo Plaza looking west down Crockett Street. Five women...photo-7897305.108622 - |ucfirst

The Battle of Flowers Parade, looking north from Alamo Plaza. In center is the United States Courthouse and Post Office. To the right is the Hugo Schmeltzer store, and on the far left is the edge of the Opera House. Black and white. less

The Battle of Flowers Parade, looking north from Alamo Plaza. In center is the United States Courthouse and Post Office. To the right is the Hugo Schmeltzer store, and on the far left is the edge of the Opera ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

The Battle of Flowers Parade, looking north from Alamo Plaza. In...photo-7897277.108622 - |ucfirst

Fourth of July Parade on Alamo Plaza, looking southeast towards the Gallagher Building in center. The steeple of Saint Joseph's is visible in the background. On the right is the Joske's store. Black and white.

Fourth of July Parade on Alamo Plaza, looking southeast towards the Gallagher Building in center. The steeple of Saint Joseph's is visible in the background. On the right is the Joske's store. Black and white.

Alamo Plaza, looking southwest during the visit of President William McKinley. Visible beyond the crowd are the Dullnig Building, the Reuter Building, the Opera House, the Wickes Building, and the Crockett Block. Black and white. less

Alamo Plaza, looking southwest during the visit of President William McKinley. Visible beyond the crowd are the Dullnig Building, the Reuter Building, the Opera House, the Wickes Building, and the Crockett ... more

View of the west and south facades of City Hall on Military Plaza. In the background, to the right, is the San Fernando Cathedral. Two wagons sit in front of the south facade. A woman, carrying an umbrella, is crossing the street. less

View of the west and south facades of City Hall on Military Plaza. In the background, to the right, is the San Fernando Cathedral. Two wagons sit in front of the south facade. A woman, carrying an umbrella, is ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

View of the west and south facades of City Hall on Military Plaza....photo-7897307.108622 - |ucfirst

View of the west and south facades of City Hall on Military Plaza today.

View of the west and south facades of City Hall on Military Plaza today.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

View of the west and south facades of City Hall on Military Plaza...photo-7897454.108622 - |ucfirst

Six men leaving the Alamo. President Higinio Morinigo of Paraguay stands to the left of P.L. Anderson in the center of the doorway, while two Military Police look on. Black and white.

Six men leaving the Alamo. President Higinio Morinigo of Paraguay stands to the left of P.L. Anderson in the center of the doorway, while two Military Police look on. Black and white.

Photo: Courtesy Of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

Six men leaving the Alamo. President Higinio Morinigo of Paraguay...photo-7897302.108622 - |ucfirst

The front door of the Alamo today.

The front door of the Alamo today.

Photo: Mendoza, Madalyn S, Google Street View

The front door of the Alamo today.photo-7897455.108622 - |ucfirst

Main Plaza, looking southwest towards the Southern Hotel. The San Fernando Cathedral with one tower is in the center. The City Hall with a dome and two towers is on the far right beyond the Frost Brothers Bank. The plaza has been landscaped as a park. A variety of carriages are parked around the plaza and people are seen crossing the paved streets. less

Main Plaza, looking southwest towards the Southern Hotel. The San Fernando Cathedral with one tower is in the center. The City Hall with a dome and two towers is on the far right beyond the Frost Brothers Bank. ... more

Copy print of an oblique view of the west and south facades of the original Menger Hotel. A horse drawn carriage stands in front of the Alamo Street entrance. Blum Street intersects to the south (at right).

Copy print of an oblique view of the west and south facades of the original Menger Hotel. A horse drawn carriage stands in front of the Alamo Street entrance. Blum Street intersects to the south (at right).